From Zurich, in August 1917, Maria Alexandrovna, the Duchess of Coburg, in her despair about the fate of the Russian Imperial family, was looking for help from the British Royal Family, writing a few letters to George V and to the Dowager Queen Alexandra. Here is an extract from the correspondence to her eldest daughter:

This morning I read the description of how those unfortunate Nicki and Alix with their children were bundled off in the middle of the night to some unknown destination! May God have mercy on them! … In my despair about the Russian family I wrote a long letter to Aunt Alix, especially pointed out Aunt Minny’s hopeless position and asking point blank if the English government cannot really interfere to save them and let at least Aunt Minny to go to Denmark. I also wrote to George to ask him to keep me to get back my money on the base of my marriage contract, which many people think possible. But how can one really discuss with such a government as in Russia?

TRH Princesses Margarita and Sophia of Romania. I will publish, hopefully quite soon, a book entitled “Patrie si Destin” on the life of Crown Princess of Romania, (Litera publishing house, Bucharest, May 2012).

The photograph above presents HRH Princess Margarita of Romania arriving for the first time in her country, on 18 of January 1990, at Otopeni airport, Bucharest. There was a degree of interest among the Romanian press of the time about this momentous event, but insufficiently disseminated, probably for political reasons, to make an impact among a public hungry for such news. The image bellow is Princess Margarita’s first interview given to a central Romanian newspaper.

I would like to extend here my well wishes to Queen Anne for her birthday anniversary! Most of the heritage architecture of Bucharest and Romania has been created during the reign of the Romanian monarchs. The Royal Family represents the link with those achievements, cultivating with abnegation, through the work of its members, the appreciation of this country’s history. Queen Anne’s exemplary life, from her education and remarkable modesty in the spirit of the catholic church, to the meritorious service during the Second World War in the French Forces, and sacrifices endured with dignity during the long exile together with her husband, King Michael of Romania, is an ideal worth emulating for us all! Valentin Mandache (Historic Houses or Romania)

These photos were taken with the occasion of Carol’s visit to Japan, one of the legs of the World Tour (February-September 1920) undertaken by the prince after the annulment of his marriage to Zizi Lambrino.

General Constantin Gavanescul, who had accompanied Prince Carol in this extensive trip, wrote unique, at times naive, recollections about this visit, presenting the official ceremonies, saying that: ‘It is clear that we are the guests of a great Emperor and of a country that knows how to honor its guests'; the thousands of children welcoming the Prince; the inexistence of beggars…’ The general also speaks about the tea houses and their geishas or the ‘little, delicate and tender’ local women (see ‘Ocolul lumii in sapte luni si o zi’ by Constantin Gavanescul, vol. 5, Japonia, Ramuri, 1926).

Stefano Papi’s new book ‘Jewels of the Romanovs. Family & Court’ is published by Thames & Hudson (September 2010):

Every jewel tells a story. Through his work at Sotheby’s and Christie’s and his own extensive research, Stefano Papi has spent years unraveling the mysteries of Russian imperial jewelry. He identifies pieces with little or unknown provenance, and he uncovers the fascinating stories behind the jewels and the people who wore them. He takes us through the golden years, and after the Revolution he follows the survivors of the Romanov line—and their jewelry—in European courts and in Paris, where many exiles sought refuge.

I am happy to announce that the book also contains a few relevant photographs from my collection